| The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas | | | | commercially valid and current - don't even consider |
| of training; you're seen as competent at A+ when | | | | programs that only give in-house certificates. From a |
| you've passed the test for just two specialist areas. | | | | commercial standpoint, only the top companies like |
| This is the reason that it's usual for colleges to only | | | | Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco (for instance) will |
| teach two specialised areas. In fact you're advised to | | | | open the right doors. Nothing else makes the grade. |
| have the teaching in all areas as many jobs will | | | | Can job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, |
| demand the skills and knowledge of each specialist | | | | with industry changing its mind on a day-to-day basis, it |
| area. Don't feel pressured to qualify in them all, | | | | seems increasingly unlikely. Whereas a marketplace |
| however we'd advise that you take tutorials in all 4 | | | | with high growth, with a constant demand for staff |
| subjects. | | | | (through a massive shortage of fully trained workers), |
| A+ computer training courses cover fault-finding and | | | | creates the conditions for real job security. |
| diagnostics - both remote access and hands-on, as | | | | Reviewing the computer sector, the most recent |
| well as learning to build, repair and fix and operating in | | | | e-Skills analysis demonstrated an over 26 percent skills |
| antistatic conditions. Should you want to work towards | | | | deficit. Quite simply, we only have the national capacity |
| looking after computer networks, you'll need to add | | | | to fill three out of every 4 jobs in the computing |
| Network+ to your A+ course. This qualification will | | | | industry. This one idea alone shows why Great Britain |
| enable you to apply for more interesting jobs. | | | | urgently requires considerably more people to enter |
| Alternatively, you may prefer the networking | | | | the industry. It's unlikely if a better time or market |
| qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE. | | | | settings is ever likely to exist for getting certified in this |
| So, why might we choose commercial qualifications | | | | rapidly expanding and budding industry. |
| and not traditional academic qualifications obtained | | | | Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement |
| from tech' colleges and universities? With fees and | | | | Assistance service, designed to steer you into your |
| living expenses for university students spiralling out of | | | | first job. Don't get overly impressed with this service - |
| control, along with the industry's increasing awareness | | | | it's easy for training companies to make too much of it. |
| that corporate based study often has more relevance | | | | The fact of the matter is, the need for well trained IT |
| in the commercial field, there's been a dramatic | | | | people in the United Kingdom is what will make you |
| increase in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA | | | | attractive to employers. |
| authorised training programmes that create | | | | Advice and support about getting interviews and your |
| knowledgeable employees for considerably less. In a | | | | CV might be provided (alternatively, check out one of |
| nutshell, only that which is required is learned. It's slightly | | | | our sites for help). Ensure you bring your CV right up to |
| more broad than that, but the principle remains that | | | | date immediately - don't leave it till you pass the |
| students need to concentrate on the fundamentally | | | | exams! It's possible that you won't have even got to |
| important skill-sets (along with a certain amount of | | | | the exam time when you land your first junior support |
| crucial background) - without overdoing the detail in | | | | job; but this won't be the case unless you've posted |
| everything else (as universities often do). | | | | your CV on job sites. Generally, a specialist |
| Imagine if you were an employer - and you wanted | | | | independent regional employment agency (who will, of |
| someone who could provide a specific set of skills. | | | | course, be keen to place you to receive their |
| What is easier: Go through reams of different degrees | | | | commission) will perform better than any sector of a |
| and college qualifications from several applicants, | | | | centralised training facility. They should, of course, also |
| asking for course details and what vocational skills | | | | know local industry and the area better. |
| they've acquired, or choose particular accreditations | | | | Do make sure you don't conscientiously work through |
| that precisely match your needs, and make your | | | | your course materials, only to stop and leave it in the |
| short-list from that. You can then focus on how | | | | hands of the gods to find you a job. Take responsibility |
| someone will fit into the team at interview - rather than | | | | for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much |
| establishing whether they can do a specific task. | | | | focus into landing your new role as you did to get |
| You have to be sure that all your certifications are | | | | trained. |